Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #7 – Be the Change You Want to See

This series is part of the 10X10 Spring Challenge. For more information on what it is and how it works, click here.

This post is a deviation from my typical fashion post and capsule wardrobe series, but I felt like I wanted to share something a bit deeper today. Hope you enjoy!

For the past few weeks I have felt incredibly uninspired and depressed. Last month I turned 35, but I don’t really think the age thing is a factor (although I didn’t realize it until I saw it listed somewhere about a week and a half later and thought that I was 34). Oh brother! I seriously didn’t know and neither did my husband.

Be the Change You Want to See

When it comes to my birthday, I don’t really like celebrating and feel super guilty asking people to. I’m an introvert in an extrovert’s clothing and do much better one-on-one. I thrive on deep connections rather than surface ones and struggle with anything else. If I don’t have a deep connection with the people I surround myself with then I’d rather just be alone. Does anyone else feel that way?

This year, my husband had to work late so my birthday was spent alone. Instead of having a home-cooked meal or going out, I stayed in and watched reruns of the Atlanta Housewives and snacked on whatever I could scrounge up. Between this and the last few birthdays I’ve had, I’ve realized that I want the next to be different, so my lesson here is to be the change you want to see. If you’re unhappy with something, change it. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible.

Here are two things I want to work on:

Plan my birthday early. This doesn’t mean that my party needs to be epic (who doesn’t want that), but setting aside time to reflect on what I want and how I want to feel is key. Other things I should think about is who to invite and what to do. Not planning my birthday in the past has worked out poorly, so making the time to plan ahead should really help.

My weight-loss journey. I’ve mentioned my weight gain in this post but haven’t really shared much details. Every week I do Orange Theory and try to watch my portions, but by the end of the week I’ve sabotaged things. Here are three reasons why I think this is:

Treating myself to a cookie does not mean that my diet is ruined; I can still eat healthy throughout the day and balance things out. It does not mean that I get to binge on everything in sight because I’ve already made a mistake. I need to remember this, underline and bold it. So important! I would seriously be much further along if I did.

Mindset is key. I’ve started Weight Watchers countless times and fail each week. For some reason, I think it should be easy, but deep down I know that isn’t true so I need to throw that idea out and get focused. I have always eaten healthy meals but have the worse time with portion control. I’m just going to have to suck it up and realize this is part of the deal.

My favorite time to snack is at night when I’m on the couch. Since I know this, I try to drink a herbal tea or a high-protein smoothie to help with my cravings, but breaking the habit would be much more effective. I need to stop depending on food to feel content. Going to bed early or limiting the amount of TV I watch is helpful.

Hope this post inspires you to keep on thriving in all areas of your life! If you have similar thoughts on feeling lonely or know what changes you want to see in yourself, share them in the comments.